New and Incoming Students

Supports the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural, and social context of the University of Illinois Springfield.Building community. Creating possibilities.

In choosing the University of Illinois Springfield, you not only chose a college, you also chose a community – a place where you’ll make friends and meet mentors, find support and support others, pursue dreams and discover new ones.

You know just how important such a community can be. After all, your friends and family, teachers and advisors have probably helped you along the way. And you’ll discover that same sort of support here.

We offer a range of academic and cultural programs that will help you become part of a vital, caring community that will change you and that you, in turn, will change. And here’s the most important thing. When you create that sort of network and support, you also create something else – more possibilities for yourself.

Who we serve. How we help

Whether you’re the first in your family to attend college, have a multicultural background or are an ally, you’ll find we have a wide array of services that will enrich your college experience. We’ll connect you with student advocates who’ll get to know you and help you get to know yourself so you can pursue the path that’s right for you; we’ll put you in touch with peers and mentors whose experiences can offer useful guidance and support; and we’ll connect you with organizations that will enhance your community involvement and leadership skills.

Advocacy. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. But so many options can also leave you with a lot of questions. Which required courses should you take first? Who can you turn to if you’re struggling with a particular subject? How will you ever decide on a major or turn all of those classes into a rewarding career?

Our student advocates can help you figure all that out. They’re here for you week in and week out, so you have time to get to know each other. That makes it easier, for example, to share your fears about taking a tough subject, or talk about your hopes for the future, or even decide what that future might look like and how to overcome any obstacles that might stand in your way.

What’s more, there may be times when you feel you’ve been treated unfairly or inappropriately either in class or outside of it. We’re here to talk with you about it and help you understand not only what happened but also what you can do about it. We can lay out the various options for you and put you in touch with individuals and programs that can assist you. And giving you options, gives you something else that’s even more important – a sense of your own power.

Outreach. Our goal is to help you reach your goals. So we continually update you on programs that can increase your academic skills and enrich your intellectual experience. As liaison to a large number of student organizations, we can introduce you to both student groups and students who share your interests. We also sponsor a variety of activities from the opening Multicultural Student Welcome to a series of cultural events which attract leaders from the broader community as well the campus. The chance to meet and talk with them can open the door to even more possibilities.

Naturally, we also reach out to parents. Maybe you want to know more about the kind of experience the university will offer your child or have questions about financial aid. Or perhaps you want to talk about ways you can help your son or daughter succeed in this new environment. Whatever your questions or concerns, we’re happy to talk with you on the phone or in person.

Creating more possibilities for graduate students.

Graduate study presents its own unique set of challenges. The workload is heavier and expectations are higher. It’s often helpful to talk with someone outside of your department. Our student advocates are here to help you succeed in this new and demanding academic environment. Sometimes, of course, all you need is a productive place to work. So we offer a conference room, meeting and study space and computer and multimedia resources. We also support your professional development, for example, through announcements about jobs, fellowships, conferences, and opportunities for research funding. In short, we want to help you succeed in graduate school and beyond.

Take advantage of our services.

Just stop by any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Of course, you can also call 217/206-6333 and schedule an appointment. That way you can make sure you won’t have to wait but can see someone immediately.